NI stars of screen and sport shortlisted for prestigious awards

NI stars of screen and sport shortlisted for prestigious awards

TOP Northern Irish actors Jamie Dornan, Adrian Dunbar and James Nesbitt have been shortlisted in the Celebrity of the Year category for this year’s prestigious Ulster Tatler Awards, along with TV presenter Eamonn Holmes and local radio personality Rebecca McKinney.

Another hotly contested category at the event, which will take place on Thursday September 14 at Belfast City Hall, is Sportsperson of the Year which will include a ‘battle of the Rorys’ with both Rory McIlroy and Rory Best shortlisted for the award, alongside boxing favourite Carl Frampton, recently retired Tyrone GAA star Sean Cavanagh and motorcycle racing champion Johnny Rea.

The Ulster Tatler Awards, now in their tenth year, are voted for by the public with judging panels of media and industry experts then selecting the winners.

As well as celebrating the achievements of well-known celebrities and sporting heroes, the awards also recognise local individuals and businesses, the likes of which fill the pages of the province’s leading lifestyle and society magazine each month.

The gala event, in association with Optilase Eye Clinic, features 14 categories in total across a number of sectors including business, fashion, interiors and hospitality, as well as a dedicated award for charities.

The only award that isn’t voted for by the public is the celebrated Lifetime Achievement Award which has been presented to some of the province’s best loved individuals including Phil Coulter, Gloria Hunniford, Barry McGuigan, Gerry Armstrong, Dame Mary Peters OBE, Brian Friel and Michael Longley.

This year’s ceremony will be presented once again by much-loved TV personality Pamela Ballantine.

“Northern Ireland has produced a wealth of talent in business, sports and entertainment,” said Chris Sherry, editor of Ulster Tatler, which has now been on the shelves of newsagents across Northern Ireland for over 50 years.

“The difficulty our judges have year after year in choosing just one winner highlights just how high the standard is in the province.

“We are looking forward to what will be a particularly exciting awards celebration as this year we mark the 10th anniversary of the Ulster Tatler Awards, with local celebrities and surprise performers making it an unmissable evening,” concluded Chris.